Recent investigations have showcased that in the past few decades smoking has been playing a leading role in causes of fatal diseases. There are contradicting viewpoint on whether or not cigarettes and tobacco merchandises should be prohibited from society. Although it is widely held view that smoking is their natural right and cigarette prohibition would be a violation of civil liberties, I am personally of the opinion that smoking should be made illegal immediately and the reasons are twofold.
First of all, perhaps the strongest argument in favor of banning cigarettes is that without a doubt tobacco is a drug. Studies have elucidated that nicotine extracted from tobacco is an awfully addictive substance. Throughout the world, governments have taken a prohibitionist approach to the problem of drug distribution. Therefore, if the authorities are truly keen on consistently pursuing the “war on drugs” slogan, they are demanded to pronounce tobacco illicit.
Secondly and more importantly, it is an indisputable fact that smoking drastically deteriorates public health rate since smoking for a prolonged period of time would result in unavoidable lethal ailments. As a further instance, respiratory disfunctions such as lung cancers and asthma are all consequences of smoking. Furthermore, the treatment cost required for smokers is more often than not exorbitant. Admittedly, massive tobacco industry has a fundamental position in economic growth and is one of the major profit-making sources of income for each nation, the medical care for the patients which is normally covered by individuals or government could be incredibly costly. Hence, it would work best in societal interest if smoking was banned.
By way of conclusion, even though a widespread prohibition of tobacco is highly unlikely to happen in a foreseeable future, given the rudimentory problems that it leads to, I believe that tobacco elimination should be the ultimate goal.